Thursday, September 25, 2014

I love that reading aloud to each other has been a part of Ben's and my relationship since our very first date, the one neither of us was sure was a date. We're working our way through The Chronicles of Narnia, which to my shame I had never read past The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I can't get enough- I love every one more than the one before.

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I have no idea why I haven't written much in months. It's been a rich season, for sure (see above), but I don't think that's why I haven't. I miss it, and the deeper reflecting writing can lead me to. I hope to do more this fall.

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This is a way late update, but: Matt and Mitch got married. It was the best.

...loving Smitten Kitchen's pumpkin muffins (three times this fall so far);
I double the pumpkin pie spice and put in a full 15 oz can of pumpkin instead of just one cup. Especially amazing with a simple maple-cream cheese frosting.

my quote wall makes me happy.

what happens when you leave your car door unlocked in a small town:
you get back to find someone left you $20.

Monday, July 28, 2014

My pastor and friend, Gregg Koskela, wrote and shared this on his blog this week. Of all of the millions of words written by Christians on gay marriage, I'm not sure I've read anything I love more.

It is good to name what we do affirm.

"We are in unity and we affirm our love for persons who identify as LGBTQ (both in and out of [our community].)We are in unity and we affirm that all people, including those who
identify as LGBTQ, are made in God’s image and can hear and respond to
the Holy Spirit, the Light within.

We are in unity and we affirm that sexual intimacy is a gift of God,
both for procreation and to build and sustain bonds of mutual love and
respect between a man and a woman in a marriage relationship.

Where Friends are in disagreement is in our understanding of God’s
direction for how sexual intimacy should be practiced outside of a
marriage between a man and a woman. Some among us believe the Bible and
the historic church clearly teach celibacy for those who are not in a
heterosexual marriage. Some among us believe the Spirit’s leading and
the Bible allow sexual intimacy to be practiced in a committed marriage,
regardless of gender.

We acknowledge the extreme difficulty of a life of celibacy, and
affirm that it is possible only through God’s sustaining power. We
acknowledge the difficulty involved when a largely heterosexual group
interprets God’s will for those in the sexual minority.

So as we wait for God’s Spirit to bring us to unity, we also wish to humble ourselves before God in confession and repentance.

We confess that in the past and the present, our words and actions
have not always matched our professed love for persons who identify as
LGBTQ. We repent of this, and we ask forgiveness from those who have
been hurt.

We confess that we have not always upheld the value of the person as
we have condemned certain sexual behaviors. We repent of this, and we
ask forgiveness from those who have been hurt.

We confess that we have not always obeyed Jesus’ command to be like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
We have walked on the other side of the road as LGBTQ persons have died
of AIDS, been bullied, harassed, abused, murdered, and committed
suicide. We repent of this, and we ask forgiveness.

Have mercy, Lord Jesus."

I chose not to bold anything because I wanted everyone who read it to notice what they would notice. Here are some of the statements that stood out to me the most:

"We are in unity and we affirm that all people, including those who
identify as LGBTQ, are made in God’s image and can hear and respond to
the Holy Spirit, the Light within."

"We
acknowledge the difficulty involved when a largely heterosexual group
interprets God’s will for those in the sexual minority."

"We also wish to humble ourselves before God."

"We have walked on the other side of the road as LGBTQ persons have died
of AIDS, been bullied, harassed, abused, murdered, and committed
suicide."

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.